Well another day and another set of examples that display that discrimination and unconscious bias is a fundamental part of the human psyche and we’ll never be rid of it.

A week or two ago we heard about the café that demanded to know a job applicants medication. Considering the applicants medication was for treating ADHD and anxiety the applicant felt as though this would prejudice her application, so she lied.

We had quite a conversation about it on the radio. Firstly there was the point of the employer. Several people said that it was the employers right to know itf there was any impediment to the applicant doing the job.

That was countered by many who said that the medication was to treat the condition which might impact on the job, and so the condition no longer existed, so it was not the right of the employer to know.

Many said these are the sorts of conversations that need to be had as part of the negotiation around the job and not at the application level.

We wondered at the time whether this practice was widespread. Now we know of another employer making the demand. It’s Kathmandu.

This time the question is part of an online application form. One mandatory question is: "Are you currently taking any prescribed drugs or medications?" If people select "yes", they are asked to provide details. If the box is left blank, a submission cannot be lodged. So if you wish to protect your privacy and refuse to answer the question the algorithm is automatically discriminating against you and forbidding you to apply.

This is institutionalised discrimination in my book. And the Mental Health Foundation’s. The question can be asked but in a far fairer way.  It's okay to ask job applicants if there is anything that will impact on their ability to do a particular job ... it's not okay to ask general questions about medical history or medication that aren't directly relevant.

Meanwhile the female Santa furore is rife with discrimination. Not on Father Christmas issue where even employment lawyers say you can specify it is a man.  But Neville Baker’s statements that Santa’s Little Helpers should wear short skirts is more than a little offensive to someone like me who has been one of Santa’s elves during a Santa Parade.

The thing about all these stories is not rampant radicalisation and PC gone mad rants by the offended. 

The real issue is the disappearance of common sense and tolerance and the overwhelming desire of many to be offended. 

Neville Baker fired the first shot in the Santa story and it backfired.  Yes, the Parade Trust shouldn’t have gone ballistic but Neville Baker shouldn’t have either. Meanwhile Kathmandu and others who think that they can ask anything they want because they’re offering a job need to ask themselves whether employees can ask the same question of them.

The Parade Trust, Neville Baker the Santa guy and Kathmandu actually do need to take medication.  They all need to take a chill pill and calm down.